Dorset’s Legacy in Corrugated Iron

With their own special charm and character, the few remaining corrugated iron chapels, often known as ‘Tin Tabernacles’, as well as other Victorian and Edwardian iron buildings, are rapidly disappearing from Dorset. This book pictures those still standing in 2012 but also includes several iron buildings from the 1930’s and 40’s that have an important social and historical significance. The history of the invention and manufacture of corrugated iron is covered and the author shows the way some iron buildings have been restored to extend their use for years to come.

Excerpts

The main exhibit at the Ball Clay Mining Museum at Norden is this minehead transhipment building. Originally sited at Norden No 7 mine, it was moved and reerrected with new corrugated sheeting and …Read More »

St Saviour’s at Dottery, near Bridport, is the only ‘Tin Tabernacle’ in Dorset in which regular services are still held. The faithful congregation can receive Holy Communion here on alternate Sundays thanks to …Read More »

Corrugated iron was invented and patented in June 1829 by Henry Robinson Palmer, who had worked under Thomas Telford and was now busy designing a new basin in London Docks, the scheme including …Read More »

Tarrant Rushton World War II airfield was a very important base for glider operations such as Operation Neptune on D-Day and Operation Market Garden at Arnhem, as well as for dropping and picking …Read More »